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E46 (1999 - 2006) The fourth generation 3 Series (E46 chassis) was introduced in 1999 and set the standard for engineering and performance during it's years of production including being named to Car & Driver's 10 best list every one of those years! ! -- View the E46 Wiki

View Poll Results: How many miles on your transmission before repairs or replacement needed?

Well I'm at 96,000 and a CEL came on = P0741 Torque Converter Stuff Off.

They (Dealership) replaced the Torque Convertor and changes the transmission fluid and filter all under warranty. (3rd party Warranty with autobroker.com)

Interesting Note: They stated that the transmission fluid was deteriorating - so what does that say about their "Lifetime Transmission" Fluid theory.

This would be it's first transmission oil/filter change at 96K. Car has been maintain since day one because I have both the extended maintanence warranty and extended service warranty until 100,000 miles.

Well I'm at 96,000 and a CEL came on = P0741 Torque Converter Stuff Off.

They (Dealership) replaced the Torque Convertor and changes the transmission fluid and filter all under warranty. (3rd party Warranty with autobroker.com)

Interesting Note: They stated that the transmission fluid was deteriorating - so what does that say about their "Lifetime Transmission" Fluid theory.

This would be it's first transmission oil/filter change at 96K. Car has been maintain since day one because I have both the extended maintanence warranty and extended service warranty until 100,000 miles.

exact same issue. replaced torque converter, fluid, solenoid, filter at the price of 15xx at the aamco. 79xxx miles

Although the E46 trannys had issues. Failures are rare. Trannys are thoroughly tested before they go into production. What typically happens is one supplier mucks up assembly or a parts supplier is not fully in spec. By the time the car manufacturer find out it could be a few years waiting for miles to be put on the cars.

Acura, Toyota had much worse tranny issues and still do today. Toyota sells so many Lexotas that it is easy for them to have 1 million bad trannys before they realize it. The downside of becoming GM'ified.

Although the E46 trannys had issues. Failures are rare. Trannys are thoroughly tested before they go into production. What typically happens is one supplier mucks up assembly or a parts supplier is not fully in spec. By the time the car manufacturer find out it could be a few years waiting for miles to be put on the cars.

Acura, Toyota had much worse tranny issues and still do today. Toyota sells so many Lexotas that it is easy for them to have 1 million bad trannys before they realize it. The downside of becoming GM'ified.

I fail to see the distinction between "issues" and "failures". By your logic, even the no-reverse problem would not constitute a failure since the forward gears still work, but I think most people would regard not being able to reverse a serious failure. Either way, you've still got a bad transmission and are looking at some hefty repairs or replacement.

And what exactly is your basis for knocking Acura and Toyota? There's a reason Toyota and Honda have great resale values, and it isn't because buyers are expecting transmission issues. My sister's got a 2005 Corolla, but apart from oil changes, hasn't had it serviced for the last 3 years. All I had to do was replace the various filters, change the transmission fluid, and replace the brakes, and it's as good as new. Try neglecting your bimmer for three years like that! And FYI, GM doesn't own any part of Toyota or Honda. GM owns parts of Daewoo and Suzuki, Ford owns Volvo cars and part of Mazda, but Toyota/Lexus and Honda/Acura are 100% owned by their parent companies.

Just passed the 50k mark on my 02 325ci. Didn't have any tranny issues yet but have to tell you that it crosses my mind at least every 10 days or so that if the tranny would stop working all of a sudden or if it would go to reverse when I pull out of parking stall!..
Things like that take the pleasure of owning a BMW.
When I was driving my Honda, I wouldn't worry about for anything... Maybe I should still be driving a Honda instead of a bimmer...

Just passed the 50k mark on my 02 325ci. Didn't have any tranny issues yet but have to tell you that it crosses my mind at least every 10 days or so that if the tranny would stop working all of a sudden or if it would go to reverse when I pull out of parking stall!..
Things like that take the pleasure of owning a BMW.
When I was driving my Honda, I wouldn't worry about for anything... Maybe I should still be driving a Honda instead of a bimmer...

Get the fluid changed, that may make you feel better. Plus if it really anoys you and your going to keep the car, buy a spare trans. Knowing you have one to drop in there if you have problems might help you feel better about it.

I would just say, get over it and drive it, but thats always easier said than done and not something you can just snap your fingers and make happen. Good luck with it and hopefully one of above sugestions will help some.

Get the fluid changed, that may make you feel better. Plus if it really anoys you and your going to keep the car, buy a spare trans. Knowing you have one to drop in there if you have problems might help you feel better about it.

I would just say, get over it and drive it, but thats always easier said than done and not something you can just snap your fingers and make happen. Good luck with it and hopefully one of above sugestions will help some.

Would love to chance the fluid but I don't know if I already past the no return point(I guess I did). I also read stories on how the working tranny stops working after a fluid change.
I believe in preventative maintenance up to a point. Do you know how I would feel if something goes wrong on working tranny after a fluid change??? Ouch!... I can here people saying "Why did you touch it if it was working???"
I read many threads about it here and found out that the concensus is to change the fluid at every 30k miles or do not mess with it at all. But when is the no-return point for every 30k-miles change? I couldn't find that out...

50,000 miles is not anywhere near what people were talking about on the point of no return. Also I dont believe in that to start with, its never to late to change the fluid if its just a normal filter and fluid change and you use factory recommended fluid. Dont buy synthetic or some other stuff. Just put back in there what came in it. Also stay away from flush jobs. If a place will only "flush" it or you even think they might flush it, run dont walk from there.

50,000 miles is not anywhere near what people were talking about on the point of no return. Also I dont believe in that to start with, its never to late to change the fluid if its just a normal filter and fluid change and you use factory recommended fluid. Dont buy synthetic or some other stuff. Just put back in there what came in it. Also stay away from flush jobs. If a place will only "flush" it or you even think they might flush it, run dont walk from there.

Good luck.

So you're saying have someone qualified drop the pan, drain the old fluid(completely), change the filter and fill back up with what BMW uses?